CJ promotes Colvin to head coach

After a 4-6 season, Eagles hope former assistant can guide team to playoffs.

DAYTON — Chaminade Julienne High School chose one of its own to revitalize its high school football program: Marcus Colvin.

The longtime Eagles assistant was picked to be the program’s new head football coach Thursday.

“To be named the head coach is pretty humbling,” said Colvin, CJ’s defensive coordinator the past four seasons.

“I met the kids and got a standing ovation. That just gives me the chills.”

Colvin, 30, replaces Andy Helms, who was not retained after five seasons. A Columbus native, Colvin played football at the University of Dayton and started his coaching career at CJ in 2004.

CJ spent two months reviewing 48 candidates and continually was impressed with Colvin. The school will be even more impressed should he quickly lead the Eagles back to the playoffs.

CJ ended last season with a stunning 13-6 defeat of arch rival Alter in the final game of the regular season, but at 4-6 missed the playoffs. The Eagles are 0-1 in the postseason over the last five years.

“You don’t want to be 4-6, whether you beat Alter or not,” Colvin said. “It’s my job to get us back into the playoffs.”

CJ narrowed its potential coaches to a final four this week before naming Colvin. He said that the coaching staff remains intact and he also is enlisting coaching help from alumni.

Colvin teaches history at the school.

“He’s been a great positive influence in the building for our students and the players,” Athletic Director Jon Payne said.

“He knows the program, the school and the kids and clearly has done an excellent job as our defensive coordinator. ... I look forward to working with him to make sure that our program is the best it can be.”

Colvin’s promotion means that two of the four Greater Cincinnati League North teams will have new coaches this fall. Previously, Carroll named longtime assistant Bob Levy as a successor to Steve Bartlett, who retired from coaching after last season.

Ed Domsitz remains the head coach at Alter and Fred Cranford at Fenwick.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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